US, Russian defense chiefs discuss telephone tensions over Ukraine border
Washington: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met by rare telephone with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday to discuss talks between the two sides in the coming days in Geneva. Switzerland is involved in the mobilization of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine. This is according to the Pentagon of the United States Department of Defense, quoted by the AFP news agency on Friday, January 7, 2022.
Speaking to reporters, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a telephone conversation that the two defense leaders discussed tensions as well as risks near the Ukrainian border, while the United States and its allies The West remains concerned that Russia may use military force against Ukraine.
The meeting comes just days before US and Russian officials meet in Geneva on Monday to try to ease tensions between Moscow and Kiev. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday also said that talks with Russia on Monday next week will not be successful as long as there are "Ukrainian guns".
The United States and its Western allies have accused Russia of mobilizing nearly 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, a move claimed by US intelligence in preparation for an attack on Ukraine. But Moscow has denied the allegations, saying some experts see Russia's military action as a message Putin wants to send to the United States and the West not to allow Ukraine to become a member or join NATO, Absolutely.
